From a Drop Deck Trailer to a Dry Van: Basic Things You Should Know About Different Kinds of Truck Trailers

If you wish to get into the trucking business, you’ll have a wide range of choices when it comes to the type of services you could provide and the specific market you could target. From hauling livestock and dry goods, to transporting cars, the demand for trucking services is unlikely to diminish, thanks to the continuous cycle of commerce. Below are some of the common types of truck trailers that you should be familiar with to get you started on a trucking enterprise.

Drop Deck Trailer

When you need to haul tall items that can be stacked and strapped down, a heavy-duty drop deck trailer is called for. As its name suggests, a drop deck trailer has a floor that drops down a level to facilitate loading and unloading. Two popular types of drop deck trailers are flatbeds, which usually have a bulkhead and detachable side rails, and curtain siders with waterproof curtains on the sides.

Bulk Trailer

What about if you want to transport loose sand, cement, or liquids? This is possible with the bulk trailers which look like large tanks on the back of trucks. These containers accommodate between 1,600 to 4,100 cubic feet of wet or dry goods. Dry cargo can be unloaded through a hatch underneath the truck, while liquid cargo is emptied through large pipes.

Reefer Trailer

Now, what would the world be like if there’s no ice cream to go around? For items that must be transported at a low temperature, you can depend on refrigerated trailers or “reefers” which are equipped with cooling units. These are perfect for moving dairy products, flowers, meat, and other perishable merchandise from one place to another.

Dry Van Trailer

A wide dry van trailer is probably the most popular trailer in the inventories of truck and trailer providers like Lyons Truck & Trailer, Inc. These enclosed trailers give more security, and protect the cargo from external elements like wind and rain. These vans could be 28 to 53 feet long, 9 feet high, and 8 feet wide. Now you have an idea on the basic types of trailers. You’ll be able to pick one that will fit the specific kind of trucking business you have in mind. Remember that it’s crucial to always consider the trailer’s features, capacity, and primary purpose.